Corrections Counselor 1 - SCI Mahanoy

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; Pennsylvania; On-site; USD 48,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's Department of Corrections is seeking a Corrections Counselor 1 to support inmates as they work toward positive change. Based at the SCI Mahanoy, you will help inmates understand goals, solve problems, and build stronger decision-making skills.

The role includes counseling, casework, and planning for reentry, with duties such as inmate counseling, case documentation, assessment reviews, team coordination, and parole preparation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with 18 college credits in sociology, counseling, psychology, social work, corrections or criminal justice, or related field.
• Equivalent combination of experience and training that includes 18 college credits in related fields.

Responsibilities

• Inmate Counseling: Meet with inmates to discuss concerns and support adjustment.
• Case Documentation: Complete summaries, referrals, and records to track progress.
• Assessment Review: Review histories and scores to identify needs and goals.
• Team Coordination: Work with staff to align treatment plans and expectations.
• Parole Preparation: Help prepare recommendations and reports for reentry and parole review.

Skills

Counseling

Case management

Communication

Decision making

Education

Bachelor’s degree with 18 credits in related field

Equivalent combination of experience and training with 18 credits

Job description

Become a Corrections Counselor 1 with the Department of Corrections (DOC) and support inmates as they work toward positive change. At the State Correctional Institution (SCI) at Mahanoy, you will help inmates understand their goals, solve problems, and build stronger decision‑making skills. This role gives you the chance to guide daily progress and encourage responsible choices. Step into a position where your patience and communication skills make a meaningful difference.

This position provides counseling and casework services that help inmates adjust to daily routines and work toward successful reentry into the community. You will guide individuals through concerns, review important information, and assist with planning that supports positive progress. As a Corrections Counselor 1, you will perform the following duties:

• Inmate Counseling: Meet with inmates to discuss concerns, encourage good choices, and support adjustment
• Case Documentation: Complete summaries, referrals, and other records to track progress
• Assessment Review: Look over histories, reports, and scores to help identify needs and goals
• Team Coordination: Work with staff to keep treatment plans and expectations aligned
• Parole Preparation: Help prepare recommendations and reports for reentry and parole review

Work Schedule and Additional Information:

• Full‑time employment, 40 hours per week
• Work hours are 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday - Friday.
• Telework:You will not have the option to telework in this position.
• Salary:Selected candidates who are new to employment with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania will begin employment at the starting annual salary of $56,541.00 (before taxes).
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:

• Three years and six months as a corrections officer, and 18 college credits in any combination of sociology, counseling, psychology, social work, corrections, criminal justice, or a related field;
• A bachelor’s degree including 18 college credits in any combination of sociology, counseling, psychology, social work, corrections, criminal justice, or a related field; or
• An equivalent combination of experience and training that includes 18 college credits in any combination of sociology, counseling, psychology, social work, corrections, criminal justice, or a related field.
• Applicants will be considered to have met the educational requirements once they are within 3 months of graduating with a qualifying degree.

Special Requirements:

• You must obtain Commonwealth Law Enforcement Assistance Network (CLEAN) and Pennsylvania Justice Network (JNET) certification within two months of employment and maintain certification for the duration of employment in this job.

Other Requirements:

• Successful completion of basic training in Elizabethtown, PA is required.
• You must meet the PA residency requirement. For more information on ways to meet PA residency requirements, follow the link and click on Residency Guidelines.
• You must be able to perform essential job functions.

Legal Requirements:

• You must pass a background investigation and meet Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) compliance requirements.

Veterans:

• Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. §7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.pa.gov/agencies/employment/how-to-apply.html and click on Veterans.

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS):

• 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).

If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.

The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.

• Completing the application, including all supplemental questions, serves as your exam for this position. No additional exam is required at a test center (also referred to as a written exam).
• Your score is based on the detailed information you provide on your application and in response to the supplemental questions.
• Your score is valid for this specific posting only.
• You must provide complete and accurate information or:
  • your score may be lower than deserved.
  • you may be disqualified.
• You may only apply/test once for this posting.
• Your results will be provided via email.